Forest of Dean trip with then Cambridge Society

The annual three day Berkshire Cambridge Society weekend away happened on May13th – May 15th. The weekend started in Gloucester where we had a tour of Gloucester Cathedral, climbing the 269 steps to the top of the tower. On route to the top we stopped to admire the roof space and fire prevention measures and the bells. Following the tower tour, was a tour of the cathedral, and the Harry Potter Cloisters. I was even shown where Catherine used to climb the tower when she was a teenager living in Gloucester.

The final outing for the day was Westbury Court Water Garden, a national trust garden. The garden was laid out to look like a series of Dutch canals. Here there was a magnificent Holm Oak.

We then made our way to Speech House Hotel in Coleford where we were to spend two nights. After dinner we were entertained by Christina giving as a talk about verderers in the forest.

Saturday was a lovely dry day, and started of with a walk through the nearby Sculpture Trail in the forest. Odd and rather peculiar was the verdict of most. Would not give many of the exhibits house room. Lunch back at the hotel, and then off to see Goodrich Castle. One of the many castles built to keep the Welsh under control. Spent quite I time here being guided around the ruin.

The drive back passed through Symonds Yat, with a fantastic view of the River Wye, and a twitcher’s paradise. Masses of people there with their spotting scopes and cameras trying to catch the elusive peregrine falcons. Managed to get a picture of a boring old buzzard.

Sunday and we had a tour of Clearwell Caves, and old iron mine which has operated since prehistoric times, up until the second world war. The caves have also been used for filming scenes from the BBC drama Merlin, and Dr Who.